Picture-frame.



$519 $1 .9 L f v I No. 642,558. Patented m.- 30, I900.

- E. DLDENBUSCH. 7

PICTURE FRAME.

(Application filed Aug. 12, 1899.)

(No Model.)

' since.

ERNEST OLDENBUSOI-I, OF WEEHAWKEN, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO KRONHEIMER,OLDENBUSCI-I & 00., OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

PIQTU RE-FRAM E.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 642,558, dated January30, 1900.

Application filed Ahgust 12, 1899. Serial No. 726,977. (No model.)

TO all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, Eenns'r OLDENBUSCH, a citizen of the United States,residing at Weehawken, in the county of Hudson and State of New Jersey,have invented a new and useful Frame for Pictures, Mirrors, Show- Gards,and Similar Articles, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in.

frames; and the object of my invention is to provide a dust-proof frameof simple and economical construction and having a detachable ornamentalcorner-strengthening device. I attain this object by the inventionillustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 represents aplan view of my improved frame, partly in section. Fig. 2 is the reverseside of the frame. Figs. 3 and t are views in perspective of the framewith the parts separated. Fig. 5 is a view of the coupler. Fig. 6 is anillustration of a strip of sheet metal or other material cut to form thecorner and ready to be rolled or folded into the desired shape. Fig. 7is a view of my improved corner-fastening device.

Similar letters refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

a is a strip of sheet metal or other suitable material which I fold atthe dotted lines a: m, y y, and .2 .2, Fig. 6, having first cut out thesolid lines 10 2 c on each side of the strip of metal at the pointswhere I desire to form my corners, but leaving a projection at b,throughwhich I pass a rivet to bind the parts firmly together. If desired,however, solder may be used instead of the rivet shown. This side Iprefer to use as the back of my frame.

The cut lines 1; a and z w upon the lower side of the strip of metal asit appears at Fig. 6 will fit together and form a miter-joint for thefront of the frame. This corner may be fastened by solder or in anyother desired manner; but I prefer to use my improved fastoner shown atFig. 7, in which 0 is an ornamental button or other device having two ormore pins or projections d (1, provided with barbed or enlarged ends 6e. These pins or projections I pass through previously-prepared openingse in the frame, as shown.

The barbed ends engaging with the back of the frame form a simple butefficient fastening. One of the many advantages of the corner ornamentor fastener is that no heat or solder is required, and it is possibletherefore to use the most delicate design without risk, and also whendesired to use ornamental corner-pieces of a metal contrasting in colorto that of the body of the frame.

My frame, as shown, consists of two parts or members; but one of theadvantages of my invention is that the sides and ends may consist of asmany parts as desired, each pair of parts or members being provided withmy improved coupler, and the sides and end of the frame may thus beextended or lengthened to any desired size. The coupler may be used atthe top and bottom of the frame when desired without departing from thespirit of my invention.

At the ends of the frame members I form sockets f, g,,h, 2,), g, h, andt" to receive the spring projections of the couplers is k, which areformed of steel or other spring material. In the sockets on one side ofthe frame I provide recesses for the catches k and k of the couplers k70.

At each corner of the coupler is I provide spring projections or guides,two or more of which, as k and 10 have lugs or catches. I find itpreferable to provide one of the lugs or catches on each coupler withstraight sides, so as to make the connection positive and secure, asshown at While another on the same side of the coupler is preferablyprovided with inclined sides, as shown at 70 which will yield when amoderate force is applied and permit the parts to be separated. All ofthe catches may be of the same pattern, however, if desired. I alsoprovide my improved coupler with'a lug 10 which serves as a pivotalconnection for the supportingbrace Z Z. This lug may be cutout of theside of the frame when desired.

To insert a picture or other object in my improved frame, the parts ormembers are separated, the couplers 10 it are inserted within theirrespective sockets in one member, and one edge of the picture or otherobject which it is desired to inclose is placed within the slot in suchframe member.

The ends of the parts or members are then brought together, theprojecting ends of the couplers will enter their corresponding slots inthe other frame member, and by means of the catch and socket the partsor frame members will be held firmly in place and the whole will presentthe appearance of a solid unjointed frame. If desired, an ornamentalbutton or other device 0 may be used to cover the point where the twoparts meet and may be attached to the coupler 7c.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent,is-

1. A sheet-metal frame for pictures and similar articles the four sidesof which are tubular in cross-section and are provided with an interiorlongitudinal slot, upon one face of which the edges of the sheet metalmeet on a line bisecting the angle of junction, and upon the reverseface of which the edges of the sheet metal overlap, both of such faceshaving one or more apertures, substantially as shown and described.

2. A sheet-metal frame for pictures and similar articles having acorner-fastening deice consisting of a body portion and two or moreprojections extending from such body portion, at approximately rightangles and passing through one or more faces of such frame, each of suchprojections being provided with a lug or barb substantially as' shownand described.

3. A separable frame for pictures and similar articles, having two ormore parts each of which is provided with one or more sockets incombination with a coupling device consisting of a body portion andtwo'or more projecting springs provided with lugs substantially as shownand described.

4. In a separable frame for pictures and similar articles a couplerprovided with a lug to which is pivotally connected a supportingbrace,substantially as shown and described.

5. A separable sheet-metal frame having three or more sides, at thecorner of which at one side the edges of the sheet metal meet on a linebisecting the angle of junction, and at the other side of which theedges of the sheet metal overlap, in combination with a cornerfastenerhaving one or more toothed lugs or barbs extending through the frame atthe corner, and a coupler having projecting springs fitting intosocketsin the frame, substantially as shown and described.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in thepresence of two subscribing witnesses.

ERNEST ()LDENBUSOII.

Witnesses:

L. M. KRONHEIMER, ANDREW FOULDS, Jr.

